22 Braided Hairstyles for Men, from Cornrows to Viking Braids

Braids do two things for men at once. They protect the hair from daily manipulation and breakage, and they lock in a sharp look that lasts for weeks. The detail most guys underrate is the sides, since a clean fade or undercut is what separates a barbered braided style from hair you simply grew out. Pattern matters too, vertical rows slim a rounder head while zigzags soften a longer one. The styles here run from West African cornrows and box braids to Norse-inspired Viking braids. Here are 22 braided looks for men.

Classic Cornrows

Cornrows are the foundation of braided styles for men, braided flat and close to the scalp in clean rows. Straight-back rows are the simplest and most versatile, working for school, work, sport, or a night out. They protect the hair while keeping it low-maintenance for weeks. Four rows is a balanced, popular number. A skilled braider keeps the parts sharp and even. Clean, masculine, and a smart place to start.

Cornrows with a Fade

Pairing cornrows with a fade creates sharp contrast between the braided top and cut sides. The fade sharpens the whole look and highlights the braid pattern up top. Choose a low, mid, or high fade depending on how much contrast you want, with a skin fade giving the boldest edge. This is the go-to way to modernize cornrows. The fade needs a touch-up every couple of weeks. Barbered, clean, and current.

Feed-in Cornrows

Feed-in cornrows, also called Ghana braids, add extension hair gradually as the braid grows. The technique creates a natural taper at the front and builds length and thickness toward the ends. It draws from West African braiding tradition and lasts well. The result is fuller, longer cornrows than your own hair alone would give. This suits guys who want length and substance in their rows. Comfortable, neat, and long-wearing.

Stitch Cornrows

Stitch braids are a cleaner, more defined take on cornrows. The braider parts crisp horizontal sections across each row, creating a distinctive stitched, segmented effect. The precision is the whole appeal, so a skilled braider matters. Paired with a taper fade, they look especially sharp and modern. They lie sleek against the scalp and hold for weeks. This suits guys who love detailed, well-defined braid work. Neat, sharp, and trendy.

Cornrow Designs

For something unique, have your braider work a pattern into the cornrows. Zigzags, waves, spider, vortex, and fishbone designs turn simple rows into artwork. The full effect often shows best from above or the side. Pair the design with a fade for extra impact. A design grows out within a few weeks, so treat it as a fresh, temporary statement. This suits guys who want a bold, individual look. Creative and eye-catching.

Cornrow Bun

Combine cornrows with a bun for a bold, half-braided look. The front and sides are braided back, then gathered into a small bun or knot at the back of the head, often over shaved or faded sides. It is one of the faster braided styles, since only part of the hair is braided. Have your barber curve the outer braids to follow your head shape. Masculine, clean, and practical. A strong everyday option.

Cornrows into a Ponytail

Braid cornrows back and gather the ends into a ponytail for a sleek, controlled style. The rows lead into a tied tail at the crown or nape, keeping everything off the face. It suits guys with enough length to gather at the ends. A fade at the sides sharpens the shape further. This holds up through sport and busy days. Sleek, secure, and easy to wear. A tidy way to show off longer braids.

Two Braids

Two braids down the head, whether cornrows or looser plaits, make a simple, striking style. The minimal two-row look is clean and easy while still showing braid work. Pair it with a fade for a modern, tapered finish. It suits medium to long hair and takes far less time than many small braids. This is a laid-back, casual option with real edge. Bold in its simplicity, and quick in the chair.

Braided Mohawk

A braided mohawk runs cornrows down the center of the head with shaved or faded sides. The braids form a bold central strip, giving a sharp, edgy shape. It is a strong, confident style that stands out. Have your barber fade the sides cleanly to frame the braided crown. The center braids can be simple rows or an intricate design. This suits guys who want maximum impact. Fierce, modern, and unmistakable.

Box Braids

Box braids are individual braids sectioned into squares across the scalp, and unlike cornrows they hang free. That means you can wear them loose, or gather them into a ponytail, bun, or top knot. Extensions add length and fullness. They are a protective, versatile choice popular among Black men for good reason. Install takes time but lasts weeks. This suits guys who want length and styling freedom. Bold, flexible, and long-lasting.

Jumbo Box Braids

Short on time? Jumbo box braids use larger sections, so they install in a fraction of the time of small braids. The thicker braids make a bold, chunky statement while still hanging free. They suit medium to long hair, since the size can feel heavy on shorter lengths. Being fewer in number, they are quicker to wash and dry too. This suits guys who want a fast, striking protective style. Big, easy, and eye-catching.

Knotless Braids

Knotless braids feed the extension hair in gradually rather than knotting it at the base. That means less tension on the roots and edges, and a flatter, more natural feel. They hang more freely than traditional box braids from the very top. This suits guys with a sensitive scalp or a delicate hairline. The lighter install is worth the extra chair time. Gentle, comfortable, and the reason many switch from knotted braids.

Micro Braids

Micro braids prove you can get intricate braid work even on shorter hair. With just a couple of inches, a braider can create tiny cornrows, small individual braids, or geometric patterns that hug the scalp. The small scale looks detailed and sharp. They suit active guys, since they need little daily upkeep. The trade-off is a long install and careful takedown. This suits anyone wanting maximum detail from minimal length. Precise and low-fuss.

Single Man Braid

A single braid down the back is the simplest braided style for men with longer hair. Gather everything and plait it into one three-strand braid, securing the end. It keeps long hair tidy and tangle-free for days. Pair it with faded or undercut sides for a modern edge, or leave it clean for a rugged look. This suits guys who want length contained without a bun. Easy, practical, and understated.

Fulani Braids

Fulani braids come from the Fulani people of West Africa, where braiding carries real cultural meaning. The style features cornrows with a braid down the center, often finished with beads. Men wear versions that mix cornrows at the front with individual braids or a bun at the back. The beads add heritage and detail. This is an intricate, storied look worth wearing with respect for its origins. Distinctive, cultural, and striking.

Two-Strand Twists

Two-strand twists coil two sections of hair around each other instead of braiding three. They hold especially well on curly and coily hair, giving a soft, textured finish. Worn short they look neat and sharp, and they can be twisted out later for extra texture. They are quicker than many braids and gentle on the hair. This suits guys who want a protective style with a rounder, softer look. Comfortable, natural, and versatile.

Senegalese Twists

Senegalese twists are a rope-twist style using extension hair for length and a smooth, defined finish. The two-strand rope texture looks sleek and neat, sitting somewhere between braids and locs. Worn long, loose, or in a bun, they are lighter than many braids. The takedown is gentler too. This suits guys who want a smooth twist over a plaited look. Sleek, glossy, and long-wearing. An elegant alternative to box braids.

Faux Locs

Faux locs give the look of locs without the permanent commitment. Extension hair is wrapped or braided around your own to form individual locs you can take down whenever. They range from thin and neat to thick and rugged, worn loose or tied back. Pair them with a fade for a modern finish. This suits guys who want the loc look temporarily. The install takes time, but the result is bold. Distinctive, textured, and fully reversible.

Viking Braids

Inspired by Norse warrior styles, Viking braids combine long braided hair with shaved or faded sides. Add braids of varying thickness and raise the crown section for a bold, faux-undercut effect. The look is rugged, powerful, and unmistakably edgy. A skin fade at the sides makes the braids pop even more. This suits guys with thick, long hair who want a warrior-inspired style. Strong, dramatic, and full of character. A striking way to wear length.

Braided Top Knot

Take long braids and tie them up into a top knot for a modern, practical style. Gather box braids or a braided section into a knot at the crown, usually over an undercut or fade. The contrast between the shaved sides and the knot up top is what sells it. It keeps braids controlled and off the face. This suits guys who want a bold, fashion-forward look. Add a design to the fade for extra flare. Sharp and secure.

Braided Undercut

Pair long braids on top with an undercut for high-contrast edge. The sides are shaved or faded while cornrows or box braids run over the top, worn down or half-up. The disconnect between the smooth sides and the braided top is bold and modern. This works with straight, wavy, or coily hair long enough to braid. The undercut needs regular upkeep to stay crisp. This suits guys who want a sharp, barbered braided look. Edgy and striking.

Dutch Braid

Dutch braids sit raised on top of the head, since the sections cross under rather than over. One or two Dutch braids running back give a bold, three-dimensional look that works well on thicker, straight hair. They are a common feature of Viking-inspired styles. Widen the braids gently for fullness. This suits guys who want a rugged, raised braid without extensions. Simple to learn, bold to wear. A strong Nordic-inspired option.